This isn't an entry I particularly wanted to write. I'm not sure why I've had so much trouble sharing this information, as we have had it for several weeks, but I have. However, I feel that it's important that you, our family, know the results.

After much deliberation and prayer, we had decided to have an autopsy as well as general blood screening done on Job. Not everyone will agree with this, and it was a very hard decision for us. The chances of knowing what happened and if it could affect other pregnancies went up drastically with an autopsy. We knew we couldn't do anything for Job and that his soul, his life, was up with our Lord.

We got back the results a couple weeks ago, and they were normal. Everything was normal, perfect, developing well, no issues. The cord and placenta were good. There were no genetic abnormalities and his chromosomes were normal. They were unable to give us any reason that Job's heart stopped beating.

In the long run, this is good news, there appear to be no major issues with me that would affect future pregnancies, although we can't be completely certain because there are some things they can't test for after the fact. It is hard news to swallow though, because it makes losing Job seem even more pointless.

We still have hope in the Lord and trust in His big plan.

Do you wonder why you have to,feel the things that hurt you,if there's a God who loves you,where is He now?Maybe, there are things you can't seeand all those things are happeningto bring a better endingsome day, some how, you'll see, you'll seeChorus:Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,that you still have a reason to sing,'cause the pain you've been feeling,can't compare to the joy that's comingso hold on, you got to wait for the lightpress on, just fight the good fightbecause the pain you've been feeling,it's just the dark before the morningMy friend, you know how this all endsand you know where you're going,you just don't know how you get thereso just say a prayer.and hold on, cause there's good who love God,life is not a snapshot, it might take a little time,but you'll see the bigger pictureWould dare you, would you dare, to believe,that you still have a reason to sing,'cause the pain you've been feeling,can't compare to the joy that's comingso hold on, you got to wait for the lightpress on, just fight the good fightbecause the pain you've been feeling,it's just the dark before the morningyeah, yeah,before the morning,yeah, yeahOnce you feel the way of glory,all your pain will fade to memoryonce you feel the way of glory,all your pain will fade to memorymemory, memory, yeahWould dare you, would you dare, to believe,that you still have a reason to sing,'cause the pain you've been feeling,can't compare to the joy that's comingWould dare you, would you dare, to believe,that you still have a reason to sing,'cause the pain you've been feeling,can't compare to the joy that's comingcom'n, you got to wait for the lightpress on, just fight the good fightbecause the pain you've been feeling,it's just the hurt before the healingthe pain you've been feeling,just the dark before the morning

24 October 2010

Well, Jarvis certainly needs an update, he has changed so much in the past couple of weeks! I've been meaning to write this post all week, so hopefully I can get it done during naptime!

He now has 4 teeth total, the top two have broken through. The two on each side of those are near the surface too and will probably come in sometime in the next couple of weeks. He has not been as fussy for these teeth, and I hope that will be normal! He's still such a good natured baby most of the time, it's very nice.

On the playing front, we have added some toys to his playroom and have noticed some hilarious things! We put up a magnetic white board and added some multi-colored letters. Since then, we have noticed that prefers the blue Os. It doesn't matter how you mix them up, he will go straight for the blue Os and pull them off. He does pull the other letters off, but blue Os are a favorite... and he's smart enough to pick them out!

Another 'accidental' toy we added were empty two-liter dr. pepper bottles. He LOVES them. We've had them out for two weeks and he plays with them the majority of the time. They are easy for him to grab and make lots of noise when hit on things! I just added buttons and rice to them, and now he loves that they make even more noise! (Don't worry, he can't get them open!) Seriously though... the cheapest toys.... paper towel rolls, boxes that packages come in, kitchen utensils, the simple stuff is his favorite!

We've also noticed an amazing ability to use his 'mutant' thumbs (as Daddy calls them). He has developed the ability to control them and use them like any other finger. He can palm the side of the two-liters or 3-inch balls with no problem. He picks up containers and bowls with one hand. When we would use our first finger to reach out and touch something or explore the texture or such, he uses his thumb. It's really quite fascinating to watch. He will most likely be palming a basketball by his early teens, something not even all grown men can do! I was most worried about the functional use of his thumbs, but he seems to be taking it all in stride, which considering his thumbs are 'normal' to him, shouldn't be too surprising!!

He now stands without issue and has begun 'cruising' along tables and couches. He is very close to walking, but I think it will still be a few weeks before he gets enough balance, strength, and bravery to try standing alone and walking.

Last weekend, one of the songs played on his toy that we hear often, it's about saying hello and goodbye on the phone. I waved bye-bye at him, and he waved back for the first time!! Since then, he will wave hello and goodbye fairly consistently. He chooses not to if he's occupied playing or isn't comfortable in the situation, but he has defiantly shown understanding and response to hello and goodbye. It's so much fun to see the beginnings of communication. We can't wait to see more of his personality as he starts communicating more!

On that same note, he also recognizes the phrases 'puppy-dog' and 'kitty-cat.' If I say either of those, he looks around for Luc and Juliette. He defiantly gets those two, and LOVES chasing them. The puppy has gotten pretty good about letting Jarvis crawl all over him. The cat on the other hand, she RUNS when she sees him coming!! He is fascinated with her, and will try to catch her every time. He has a special voice for when he is talking to the puppy or kitty, and it's hilarious to hear. I never realized how often I say 'puppy-dog' and 'kitty-cat' or that I consistently talk to them in a different tone of voice. But I must, since he mimics what I do all day long! I can tell he and the pup are going to be good friends!

Just for fun, here are some of his favorite foods: oatmeal with fruit, any kind of fruit puree, yougurt, avacado, bananas, yogurt, cheese, wheat bread, turkey pieces, extra-firm tofu, rice cakes, cheerios, and oh, did I mention yogurt?? :) He still does a mix of bottle, then purees, then finger foods at every meal. And we are slowly mastering the sippy cup, finally!

We were thrilled to have visitors this past week, Jarvis had a blast with Poppy and Omi, Jace's dad and step-mother. They got to play and hang out with Jarvis for several days, and even got a low fly-over from Jace in the Huey! Big thanks to them for coming all the way up here, it was wonderful to see them!!

Last thing I wanted to mention was Christmas presents for Jarvis. I am putting together a list of 'recommended' gifts or suggestions for Jarvis. Our goal is to buy toys that have multiple uses, can grow with him and be used for more than just a month. My list will consist of a lot of developmental toys that encourage learning while playing. That does not mean you HAVE to buy anything on the list, anything you want to buy him is fine!! But I will give suggestions as to age appropriateness and interest level and clothing sizes to help you out :) So be watching for that in the next week or two.

16 October 2010

I'm feeling really beat down lately. I guess it's to be expected. It's so hard to have hope in the face of adversity. It can be difficult to find. I am hurting for one of my best friends, who's little boy was only with them a few days. For what they, and we, are missing.

So for lack of a better post... here's some scripture from my heart.

1 Peter 3:15"But in your heart set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have."

Psalm 73:23-26

23 Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

Psalm 6:6-7

6 I am worn out from groaning;
all night long I flood my bed with weeping
and drench my couch with tears.7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow;
they fail because of all my foes.

Job 30:27

27 The churning inside me never stops;
days of suffering confront me.

Isaiah 43

1 But now, this is what the LORD says—

he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.3 For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush [a] and Seba in your stead.

Ecclesiastes 11:5

5 As you do not know the path of the wind,
or how the body is formed [a] in a mother's womb,
so you cannot understand the work of God,
the Maker of all things.

Psalm 119:49-50

49 Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.

I have hope in my Savior. In the eternal life to come. I struggle in my sorrow and disbelief, but my Lord is always by my side.

14 October 2010

I just found out that one of my dear friends lost her baby boy last night. He was very premature, and although seemed to be doing well, his little heart stopped beating just a few days after being born.

I ask you for prayers for these first time parents who are suffering a loss that no one should every experience. Please pray for them and their families for strength and comfort.

12 October 2010

We are well into fall here, and it's been beautiful- weather in the 70s for the past two weeks, which compared to last years 30s/40s, is very, very warm! I'm sure winter will hit any day now and we will be back to the subzero temperatures.... but for now....

It's fall, and that means punkin patches, halloween costumes, swings, and lots of walks! We are looking forward to a visit from Poppy and Oma this next week, I know Jarvis (and us) can't wait to spend some time with them!

Enjoy.... (LOTS more up on www.jaceandchelsea.shutterfly.com in the Fall 2010 and Jarvis-10 months albums)

02 October 2010

I love comments. I get all excited when I see someone has commented on a post.

I'm always surprised to hear that someone reads my blog, or checks it daily. I didn't really think I had anything that interesting to say. Then again, it's mostly about Jarvis, and he is pretty fascinating.... sooo.... :)

Since I have discovered how much I love comments, I've been commenting more on other people's blogs, because everyone should know they are interesting!